New Delhi (ILNS): A special CBI court today acquitted all 32 accused, including BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, of criminal conspiracy charges almost 28 years after the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya.
Special CBI Court judge Surendra Kumar Yadav, in his 2,000-page judgment, said that he found that evidences against the accused were not strong enough and that the Babri Mosque demolition incident was not preplanned.
Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid was demolished by kar sevaks on December 6, 1992.
Here are some of the main points from the verdict:
- · The leaders present at the site during the demolition were trying to stop the mob and not incite them. Stones pelting started from behind the disputed structure.
- · Ashok Singhal wanted to keep the structure safe because it had statues of Hindu deities.
- · All ‘Kar Sewaks’ were directed to bring water and flowers to keep both their hands busy.
- · Can’t prove authenticity of audio, video provided by CBI.
- · Anti-social elements tried to demolish the structure, accused leaders tried to stop them.
- · The audio of the speech is not clear.
In all six accused, including Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti, did not appear physically in court today. The three others who skipped the hearing were Nritya Gopal Das, Kalyan Singh and Satish Pradhan. All six, however, attended the proceedings via video-conferencing. While Uma Bharti has tested positive for coronavirus (she has been admitted to AIIMS), LK Adavni and Murli Manohar Joshi excused themselves on grounds of health and age.
The CBI had filed a charge sheet against 49 people in the case. Seventeen of them died during trial.
Accused Sadhvi Rithambhara, Vinay Katiyar, Champat Rai, Pawan Pandey, Bajrang Dal’s Prakash Sharma, were among the 26 accused who arrived at the Special CBI court in Lucknow for the verdict today.
A day before the verdict on Babri case was announced, the Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the states to remain on high alert. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had extended the tenure of Allahabad trial court judge SK Yadav, directing him to complete the trial and deliver the verdict in Babri Masjid demolition case. The 60-year-old judge was to retire in 2019, but he has been given extensions by the top court to hear the high- profile case which he has been handling since 2015.
Celebrations
Just after the verdict was announced various BJP leaders took to Twitter to welcome the Special Court’s judgment. Here is what they said:
Former deputy Prime Minister and veteran BJP leader LK Advani: “The judgment vindicates my personal and BJP’s belief and commitment toward the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.”
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi (tweeted): “Jai Shri Ram. All the accused, including Advaniji, acquitted. There was no pre-planned conspiracy to demolish the Babri structure.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: “Justice has won.”
BJP leader Ram Madhav (tweet):
“Truth triumphs. CBI court’s acquittal in Babri conspiracy case was long overdue. A malicious case against some of the most respected leaders of our nation has fallen aside finally after 3 decades. Everyone should welcome d judgment.”
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut welcomed the verdict on the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expresses happiness over the Babri Demolition case verdict and also said those responsible for the conspiracy should apologise to the people of the country.
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Sweets were distributed at MM Joshi’s residence after announcement of the court verdict in the 1992 Babri demolition case.
-ILNS